Chapter 9 – Betsy #2
I find an article in their local paper about the house fire that killed both parents and the family dog.
Verity managed to get out unharmed and only suffered from slight smoke inhalation.
The smoke alarms failed due to all of them being broken.
I frown and continue reading. Verity went on to a children’s home, where she spent the remainder of her adolescent years.
In her time there, three workers were found dead: one in a car accident from failed brakes, another that was diabetic and had a faulty insulin pen, later dying in a diabetic coma, and another that had a fatal allergic reaction to nuts.
I then look up the police report of each of the carers from the home she was at.
One family accused someone of tampering with their medication, and another called murder, saying their car had just been serviced.
The police even arrested the mechanic, but there was little to no evidence to convict him, so charges were dropped.
I sit back in my chair and let all the information I’ve read sink in. A girl—a young, troubled girl—and possibly a serial fucking murderer. That’s when a thought suddenly enters my mind. How did Helen die? I quickly look at her file again and see she died in a house explosion caused by a gas leak.
“Fuck.” I quickly grab my phone and ring Mor.
“Hey,” she pants.
“Okay, tell me you’re not fucking right now, because I’ve got some news that needs to be shared, and this ain’t no time for Nyx’s dick to be buried inside you,” I ramble, quickly bagging up my laptop.
“No, I’m not. I’m teaching the prospect arm-to-arm combat,” she breathes.
“Okay, well, I’m overriding your presidential status and calling kitchen. I’m just about to get on my bike now, but you and Eden need to be in that room in twenty minutes,” I say with a harsh urgency.
“Shit. Okay,” she breathes and disconnects.
I run down my stairs as fast as my legs will take me and head through to the garage.
Swinging my backpack on my back, I make quick work of fastening my helmet before jumping on my bike.
As the garage door slowly opens, and needing to get to the club as quickly as possible, I don’t wait for it to be fully up.
Speeding out of there, I duck my head, my back wheel skidding when I make a sharp left at the end of my drive.
I catch Josh’s eye, who I see in my rearview mirror, turning the van around to follow.
Dangerously swerving in and out of traffic, speeding to get to the club, the worst thoughts run through my mind.
What if she’s already set something in place?
There could be a small and slow gas leak we don’t know about.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I see the Sanctuary come into view.
I skid to a stop, dust kicking up from the gravel parking lot, and jump off my bike, unfastening my helmet as I run inside.
“What is it?” Eden asks, walking down the hall to me.
“I will explain all, but you guys have got to see this,” I pant, trying to catch my breath from rushing over here.
We walk in, and Mor and Nyx are already waiting.
Nyx gives me a chin lift as he shuts the door behind us.
I don’t even bother asking if he’s staying or not.
He wouldn’t leave, even if we tried to physically remove him.
He is protective over Mor, even though she is more than capable of taking care of herself.
I unzip my bag and place my laptop on the table, typing in my password before I swirl it around for them to read.
I explain all that I’ve found regarding Verity, the deaths that seem to follow her, and how it ties in with how Helen died.
“I had no idea,” Mor breathes.
“You’re not alone, because even Bernie didn’t know about Helen having a kid.
She must have hidden it from everyone. I’m not sure how, but she did.
It also points to one of the other club members being the father.
From what Bernie said, she was, er, well, I’m not one to put other women down, but she was a slag.
” I shrug. “She took a liking for the unattainable.”
“Fuck, what if these partners slept with more than just this Helen? There could be loads of the murdering fuckers about,” Eden says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I smirk. “I need to do an up-to-date hunt on Verity and see if she is still using that name or going by a different one. We need to get to her before she gets to us,” I state.
“We need to up security around here. No one is to go near the bike shed,” Mor orders.
“We need to warn the prospects. Maybe not the full details, but they also need to be on their guard,” Eden points out.
We all nod. I place my laptop back in my backpack and grab my helmet. “I will let you know what else I find,” I state.
“You’re not staying?” Mor asks, surprised
I shake my head. “No, I’m not.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea? What if she comes after you?” Eden asks.
“She won’t,” I say with certainty.
“You don’t know that. If this Verity is as dangerous as she appears to be, and if this is her behind the threats, then she will be watching and following members of the club,” Nyx adds.
We all look at him, and Mor gives him a look.
He raises his hands in surrender. “Sorry, got it. Club business. I will keep my mouth shut.”
Mor blows him a kiss before she turns her attention to me. “You know he’s right,” she says, arching her perfect brow.
I let out a huff. “Look, I mean no disrespect when I say this...” I pause. “She wants you, not me, and not Eden. Sure, she may want to get even on the club after she’s killed you, but at the moment, her goal is you,” I point out.
Mor blinks.
“She’s right,” Eden says, backing me up. “If anything, it’s not safe for you to leave the Sanctuary,” Eden suggests.
Nyx instinctively wraps his arm around Mor’s waist to bring her closer to him.
Mor lets out a long sigh. “Fine, you can go home, but the lap dog stays outside, and instead of once-a-day updates, I want them three times a day. Morning, noon, and night. Do you understand?” Mor asks, her index finger pointing at me in warning.
“Sure thing, Pres,” I say with a mock salute. She immediately flips me off, making me grin. “Okay, so we have a semi-plan in place. Hopefully, in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, I will have a location on Verity.” I pull on my helmet and walk towards the door.
“Betsy?” Eden calls out. I turn to look at her. “Be careful,” she warns. I give her a nod.
“Ring when you get home,” Mor adds. I give her a thumbs up and leave, waving at the prospects as I go.
I climb onto my bike as Josh walks over. “You want to give me a head’s up next time you want to speed off like that?”
“Sorry, it was important. I couldn’t sit on it,” I explain.
“Danger coming?” he asks.
“Club business, sorry.” He nods before heading back to the van to follow me. “But Josh, maybe just be on alert, okay?”
His expression turns from carefree to serious instantly, and he gives me a chin lift in understanding before jumping into the van.
Riding home, I keep alert, watching pedestrians, checking my mirrors more than usual, and studying people in their cars. I feel on edge, as anxiety churns in my gut. I know I’m probably being ridiculous, but I can’t switch off the over-cautious part of my brain that makes me question everyone.